Les pirates de la Floride

Theodore Pratt's book becomes somewhat uncertain comedy-drama-adventure taking place in 1890 Miami, with land owner/confidence man Robert Cummings spreading word amongst the residents that a railroad will soon be running through South Florida. Jerome Courtland is the mail courier for the U.S. government who doesn't buy Cummings' story, especially after both men begin vying for the affections of runaway teen Terry Moore. Initially fluff-headed nonsense turns serious by the second half, with murderous scavengers trying to halt the progress, and swampland alligators giving everyone the bite. Cummings, talking as fast as Robert Preston in "The Music Man", looks every inch the dapper scoundrel, yet the writing doesn't give him a whole lot to work with (the script is plot-heavy without ironing out the characters). The overlit, occasionally gloppy color photography isn't helped by sequences that change from location shoots to studio replicas in the blink of an eye, and the wavering tone is disconcerting, yet director Earl McEvoy manages to keep everyone's spirits up and the picture is seldom dull. **1/2 from ****

Robert Cummings, Terry Moore, and Jerome Courtland star in "The Barefoot Mailman" from 1951.

Cummings is Sylvanus, who blows into town after inheriting some land. The land turns out to be a swamp. He also learns that the townspeople have been socking away their money because they don't have much to spend it on. Sylvanus lets it be known he wants to build a railroad and is ready to invest. He goes into partnership with Dan Paget (Will Geer).

Sylvanus needs to travel, so he signs on as foot traffic with the mailman (Courtland) who follows a dangerous route that often includes robber interference, led by John Russell. A 12-year-old runaway (Moore) is desperate to get to her father and begs to be taken along. They agree, not realizing she is a beautiful 19-year-old. Both men become interested in her, which sets up a rivalry.

Sylvanus' plan is to collect everyone's money, split it with Paget, and leave town. Before he can do that, problems ensue.

Cummings plays a Music Man/Harold Hill type conman. He does a good job. Terry Moore is adorable. I love when she comes crashing into the bedroom in a blue, off the shoulder dress, surprising the woman who is helping her unpack and can't understand what a 12-year-old is doing with such sexy clothes.

All in all, pleasant film.

This is a pleasant enough comedy set in turn-of-the-century Miami as Bob Cummings plays a swindler who's been swindled: he's been given a deed to a large plot of mangrove swamp in the out-of-the-way community. So he decides to con the locals, some of whom are not as honest as he....

There are a few good points to this movie, including some nice scenery, both around the mangrove swamps and Terry Moore. Will Geer has a nice role as mayor-postmaster-sheriff, and probably Lord High Poobah and Arthur Shields slides easily through his role as Terry Moore's father. But Bob Cummings is a little too one note in his performance to make this more than average good.